A’s Rumors: Rollins, Hanley, Drew, Escobar

The A's were nine games below .500 in mid-June, but they're now 51-44 following an impressive six-week stretch that's positioned them as contenders for a playoff berth. Here are the latest A’s-related notes and rumors…

Rollins is not currently an option for the A's, Slusser reports. Slusser hears from two people who aren't convinced Rollins would approve a deal to Oakland (Twitterlinks).

The A’s pursued Hanley Ramirez aggressively before the Marlins sent him to Los Angeles, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle confirms that the A’s were “very much in on” Ramirez (Twitter link). The Marlins recently offered Oakland a “sweet deal” that would have sent Ramirez to the A's for a couple of minor leaguers and enough cash to cover half of Ramirez’s contract, Knobler writes. But the A’s held off on the deal, and the Dodgers agreed to take on all of Ramirez’s salary.

The A’s are still looking to add, Knobler reports. They have been scouting Stephen Drew, have had interest in Yunel Escobar, and have considered the possibility of bringing Oakland native Jimmy Rollins back to the Bay Area.

Oh it’s certainly true. It often looks a lot worse than it is though as his ‘style’ is very nonchalant so it looks like he never gives a poop.

He is still quite good defensively, but his bat this season has been very troubling. He has been pounding the ball into the ground and turned into a bit of a GIDP machine. I think his approach has changed. He doesn’t seem to be using the whole field like he did last year.

They’ve been trying to change his batting approach this year because they want him to give up batting average for more power. It has really not been working and considering he hit .290 last year on a team which is not known for its batting average one has to wonder what the Jays deal is cause we really don’t need to be hitting more solo homeruns. The frustration of not hitting well I think is getting to him as well especially since teams have been playing him to hit the ball between SS and 2nd which was his bread and butter.

Very true, I wouldn’t have done either one on their own, let alone together. Apparently I’m in the minority thinking that Griffin would’ve been a better option to trade especially since Miami (and Toronto) was/is looking for major league pitchers who’re under control for a while, and Griffin, while more polished than Straily at this point, is more of a 3/4 starter whereas Straily is a 2/3 type

As an A’s fan this one really hurts. I’m not saying Hanley would have turned into the player he was but to miss out on him when we could have had him for a song (and a truck full of cash is disappointing). I would think a similar salary dump would have been possible with him in the off season, so to me this is a mistake.

The first thing I thought was that the Dodgers got a steal in this deal with what they had to give up. Now I just read that the Dodgers are assuming ALL of Ramirez’s salary AND giving up 2 players? Great deal for the MArlins, though I’m sure theyre wishing it didn’t have to happen

They aren’t trading Headley for Choice straight up. They will likely not be fooled by the usual A’s AAAA hitters. You’ll have to throw in some young pitching. Good young pitching like a Griffin, Anderson or Peacock as part of a package.

On Ramirez—vastly overrated and underperforming. Not that great at defense. Rollins would have been an upgrade.

Say hello to Marco Scutaro! He’s about what the A’s can expect and will be much better than the trio of AAA players currently masquerading as major league SS. Inge can hold down 3B for now.

Not even in the slightest. The A’s need an upgrade at 3b, but Inge, despite his horrible batting average, is deceivingly productive, as proof with his HR and RBI numbers. Inge is also a leader of the clubhouse, and really a factor for the A’s energy to keep on winning.

The Padre’s are asking quite a lot for Headley, while an upgrade, is not worth any A prospects. So guys like Choice, Strailey, ect won’t be involved in a deal for Headley, if there is one.

I would absolutely love to see Drew headed to Oakland. However, recent comments by the front office make it seem like that is highly unlikely now that they have traded away Ryan Roberts. A pity really. I think most Dbacks fans would have been happy for some quality BP balls and some bats in exchange for jettisoning Drew.

Drew won’t cost any sort of real prospect. But, outside of having to negotiate with Boras, he does actually have a ton of upside as an elite defensive SS with speed that is a good top of the lineup left-handed hitter.

I doubt the A’s are interested in a second baseman. Even with Jemile Weeks struggling this season, the A’s are still high on him and have been reluctant to deal him or demote him. While I personally think Murphy would be a good fit, I doubt the front office is in any hurry to move Weeks to another team or to AAA.

Don’t underestimate Billy Beane’s ability to get a guy nobody thinks is available. I’d love to see him pry Asdrubal Cabrera out of Cleveland or Alcides Escobar out of KC. Cleveland is kidding themselves if they think they are legitimate contenders and KC is long since out of the race. I would send a nice package to either team willing to part with their shortstop. Drew doesn’t thrill me because of his injury history and Yunel is only a small upgrade over what the A’s have now. I’d like to see Beane pull off a stunner and I think he’s capable of doing it.